MLB Player News

Faucher was recalled from Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher can provide some length for a bullpen that's been overworked this week. He holds a 6.43 ERA and 11:6 K:BB across 14 innings with the big club this season.

Heller was optioned to Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Heller was with the big club for just one day and didn't make an appearance. He's clearing out for Jake Diekman's return from paternity leave.

Diekman was activated from the paternity list by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diekman missed the first three games of the series against the Blue Jays but is back for the finale. Ben Heller was optioned in a corresponding move.

Leclerc allowed two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning to get a hold in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Leclerc had made a stretch of low-leverage appearances before getting the call to pitch the eighth inning of a one-run game Wednesday. He retired the first batter then allowed the next three to reach, and he was removed after 16 pitches (eight strikes). Closer Will Smith escaped from the frame unscathed and returned for the ninth inning to complete a five-out save.

Lange allowed a run on one hit but managed to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Lange allowed his first run since early April, a streak of 16 consecutive appearances, but he was still able to shut the door for his ninth save in 10 chances. The righty has firmly established himself as Detroit's closer, and he has a sparkling 1.27 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 21.1 innings so far this year.

Duran allowed a hit while striking out two over two-thirds of a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Giants. He threw 104.6 mph and 104.4 mph fastballs, which are new Twins records, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Duran was getting work in a blowout win as he hadn't pitched in four days. With the Twins off Thursday, Duran should be available for Friday's game against Toronto.

Pruitt will serve as the Athletics' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Ken Waldichuk (calf) had been the listed starter for Oakland, but he's now instead expected to work in bulk relief. Pruitt carries a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB in 10.2 innings this season out of the Oakland bullpen.

The Rays placed Littell on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder fatigue, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Littell last pitched Monday and gave up two runs while recording just one out in a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

Smith picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.

Smith entered with one out in the eighth inning after Jose Leclerc loaded the bases. The left-hander got Rodolfo Castro to fly out before striking out Jack Suwinski to end the frame. Smith then set down the Pirates in order in the ninth, securing a one-run victory and his ninth save. Smith has now converted his last five save opportunities across five scoreless innings. His ERA is down to 2.65 with a 0.88 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB through 17 innings this season. He's become a reliable source of saves on a first-place Rangers team.

Tampa Bay designated Burdi for assignment Wednesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Burdi was lit up for six runs -- five earned -- in Tuesday's 20-1 loss to the Blue Jays. The transaction removes the right-hander from both the 40-man roster and the 26-man active roster to make room for reliever Ben Heller, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. If Burdi goes unclaimed or isn't traded, he'll likely report back to Triple-A to provide bullpen depth for the Rays for the rest of 2023.